Gingerbread Cookies

Adam and I have our own little Christmas tradition. We like to bake gingerbread cookies and decorate them to look like our families. We used a Paula Deen recipe - very easy and delicious!

My Family

Adam's Family

Our Future Monogram

Paula Deen's Gingerbread Cookies

Ingredients:
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar
1 stick butter or margarine, softened
2 large eggs
1/4 cup molasses
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting work surface
2 teaspoons ground ginger
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt

Directions:

1. Using an electric mixer at low speed, cream the sugar and butter until thoroughly combined. Add the eggs and molasses and mix until combined.

2. Sift together the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and combine with a spoon or spatula.

3. Remove the dough from the bowl and wrap in plastic wrap; place in the refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour.

4. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. Allow the dough to sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes, until pliable.

5. Take about 1/2 cup of dough at a time and roll onto a floured board until about 1/8-inch thick. Cut out with gingerbread boy and girl cookie cutters. Using a spatula, transfer the cookies from the board to the prepared cookie sheets.

6. Bake for 10 minutes, until just beginning to brown at the edges. Transfer to wire racks to cool.

7. To make the icing, combine the confectioners' sugar and milk. Decorate piping eyes, mouths, buttons, and bow ties.